Old Rockers/Tribute Bands At Blue Frog Studios some of the hottest show tickets are for tribute bands. Last week for instance the group Arrival played 7 sold-out shows with its tribute to ABBA. Other bands like Led Zepagain, Eagle Eyes, Steelin in the Years, Songs of Lennon and McCartney, and more are guaranteed to sell out their shows. Who are the buyers? Well, I’d have to say the majority are those of us who have been labeled as “Baby Boomers.” Those born between 1946 and 1964 and if you do the math, Boomers now range in age from 59 to 77 years old. Seems that the music of our early lives just won’t release its strong rock and roll grip! Boomers are known to wallow in nostalgia and as we age, we like to think back to when life seemed much simpler and less complicated than today. The music of the old days brings back some wonderful memories, and that alone accounts for the number of people who fill Blue Frog Studios when the Tribute bands perform. I suppose this goes for any generation. I think back to the radio show, “The Owl Prowl,” with Jack Cullen on CKNW. For years Jack played the music of the Big Band generation, complete with old radio dramas on a portion of his show he called Network Replay. For that generation, it was a way to go back in time and get away from those “crazy long-haired kids and their Rock and Roll.” Science will back up this musical trip down Memory Lane. A study of something called the “reminiscence bump in music,” discovered that your favourite tunes of years gone by were best recalled from when you were between the ages of 13 and 19 years, regardless of your year of birth. Ah, that would be the High School years! I’ll bet when you hear some of your “good old songs” chances are they were the ones you danced to all night long in High School. We’re fortunate to be still hanging in there after all these years, and so are many of our favourite musical artists. Some would say “They just don’t know when to quit!” Others would say, “Why quit when they can still rock and roll.” And some are rocking and rolling better than ever. One of the oldest of the old rockers is former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, who is still playing with his All-Star Band and celebrating 83 years on planet Earth. His Beatle buddy, Paul McCartney is right behind him. Macca is 81 years old and still filling arenas and stadium shows around the world. Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones is 80 and will be heading to Vancouver in July of 2024. Some claim that the Stones are still the greatest Rock and Roll Band, although Bruce Springsteen fans may put up an argument, “The Boss” is 74 this year and still selling out shows. Rod Stewart is 78 and continues touring, filling arena shows and still kicking soccer balls into the crowd. And then there’s Elton John, who is on one of his last, no really this is the last, really the very very last, “Farewell Tour.” Elton blew out 76 candles this year. Country Music legend Dolly Parton is 77, and just released her 49th album this past November, and sang during half-time at the Dallas Cowboys football game dressed in a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader outfit! She sure knows how to kick ageism to the curb! Don Henley and Joe Walsh of the Eagles are both 76. I guess the wonderful thing is, if you can’t get to one of their concerts, the Tribute bands will at least bring the music to you! It lets you relive all the memories that music evokes, and what’s even better you get to experience the music in a live setting which adds to the enjoyment. Every generation is different, and it seems that the Boomers just won’t let go of their youth. Most folks in my parents’ generation couldn’t wait to retire and sit back in the rocking chair and settle into the “Golden Years.” I remember working in a sawmill down on the Fraser River in Vancouver back in the 60’s and every coffee break and lunch break all the old-time workers would talk about was when they were going to retire. They couldn’t wait to get to that easy chair. Of course, there are exceptions, Billionaire businessman Jimmy Pattison for instance is in his mid 90’s and still heading into the office every day. I’m sure that’s what keeps him going. We Boomers grew up in sneakers and jeans, and today we’re still wearing them into our 70’s and 80’s, and when we shuffle off this mortal coil, we’ll not only go kicking and screaming, but we’ll also go rocking and rolling! Till next week…rock on! - Wayne |
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May 2024
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